Paige VanZant gets why Ronda Rousey is dating fellow UFC fighter: 'It's easier when you have someone

Publish date: 2024-07-21

Paige VanZant has said she understands why fellow UFC icon Ronda Rousey is in a relationship with her team-mate, as the 21-year-old also recently dated one of her training partners.

The exciting straw-weight prospect was dating fellow Team Alpha Male fighter and UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt before the pair decided to put things on the back-burner and focus on their fighting careers.


But with the recent revelation that Rousey and UFC heavyweight Travis Browne are an item, VanZant has said it's only natural that fighters are drawn to one and other. 

Paige VanZant has said that fighters are drawn to each other because of the unique nature of the sport

Paige VanZant has said that fighters are drawn to each other because of the unique nature of the sport

VanZant dated team-mate Cody Garbrandt (right), before the pair broke up to focus on their careers

VanZant dated team-mate Cody Garbrandt (right), before the pair broke up to focus on their careers

Ronda Rousey (left) has confirmed she is dating UFC heavyweight and team-mate Travis Browne (centre)

Ronda Rousey (left) has confirmed she is dating UFC heavyweight and team-mate Travis Browne (centre)

The 21-year-old, pictured weighing in, said that most people couldn't understand what a weight cut is like

The 21-year-old, pictured weighing in, said that most people couldn't understand what a weight cut is like

'It's a hard lifestyle being a fighter and not a lot of people understand it,' VanZant told Sportsmail. 

'Not a lot of people can put up with you when you go through a weight-cut or really understand what you're battling when you go through a weight-cut.

'Fighters are battling a lot of emotions leading up to a fight and I definitely think it's easier when you have someone there that really understands what you're going through and can be a good support system.'

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Relationships between fighters have become more and more common as women's MMA has emerged into the mainstream, with high profile couples such as Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway and now Rousey and Browne.

But while VanZant accepts that it's tempting to get involved with team-mates, the American is only focussed on preparing for her next fight against Joanne Calderwood on December 10.

Despite understanding how such relationships come about, the American says she is focussed on her career

Despite understanding how such relationships come about, the American says she is focussed on her career

VanZant squares off with Joanne Calderwood in her first UFC main event in Las Vegas on December 10

VanZant squares off with Joanne Calderwood in her first UFC main event in Las Vegas on December 10

Scottish Muay Thai specialist Joanne Calderwood is next up for VanZant in Las Vegas on December 10

Scotland's Calderwood is the most decorated striker VanZant has faced so far in her UFC career 

But the hugely popular UFC star believes she can beat Calderwood anywhere, including on the feet

But the hugely popular UFC star believes she can beat Calderwood anywhere, including on the feet

'For me I'm 100 per cent focused on training, and especially when I'm in Sacramento (with Team Alpha Male), I only come here for as long as I have to get ready for a fight and then I go back to my home town and that's when I get to hang out with my friends.

'So I don't necessarily meet other people, other than the people I train with, I just try to stay focussed and hang-out in the gym.'

VanZant is 3-0 in the UFC and the No 6 ranked straw-weight is looking to climb further up the ladder with a win against Calderwood in Las Vegas.

The American will be headlining an event for the first time, and will have home state advantage, hailing from Reno, Nevada.

Calderwood, a 28-year-old Muay Thai specialist, is undoubtedly the most decorated striker VanZant has faced, but despite only training MMA for six years, the American says she is confident she can beat the Scot in every facet of the game.

'I definitely think I can beat her anywhere the fight goes,' she said. 'I'm confident in my stand-up, I'm just confident in my MMA game overall.'

 

Tickets to UFC Fight Night: VanZant vs. Calderwood are now on sale via www.ticketmaster.co.uk 

 

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